sports
Messi rested & Leao sent off - pre-World Cup friendlies
Key takeaways
- Argentina's Messi is set to play in his sixth World Cup while Portugal's Leao was sent off after a mass scuffle against Chile
- Argentina great Lionel Messi was rested as the defending champions beat Honduras in their penultimate warm-up game before the 2026 World Cup, while Portugal's Rafael Leao was sent off in a 2-1 win against Chile.
- Elsewhere, Brazil, Germany and Belgium each won their final warm-up games prior to the start of the tournament, which is being held across Canada, Mexico and the US, on Thursday, 11 June.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Argentina's Messi is set to play in his sixth World Cup while Portugal's Leao was sent off after a mass scuffle against Chile
Argentina great Lionel Messi was rested as the defending champions beat Honduras in their penultimate warm-up game before the 2026 World Cup, while Portugal's Rafael Leao was sent off in a 2-1 win against Chile.
Elsewhere, Brazil, Germany and Belgium each won their final warm-up games prior to the start of the tournament, which is being held across Canada, Mexico and the US, on Thursday, 11 June.
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